A 24-hour private butler, ocean views, and a bathtub bigger than our bed! If there’s one luxury resort that must be on your bucket list, it’s Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf. One of Madinat Jumeirah’s best-kept secrets (we won’t tell if you don’t…), this jaw-dropping boutique hotel took our breath away with its arabesque touches, jungle-like gardens, private pools, and intimate courtyards.

Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf is made up of 29 summerhouses and we were lucky enough to escape to our own ocean-view ‘Summer Palace‘ for 24 hours. From Abra cruisin’ through the Madinat Jumeirah waterways to beachside yoga with a Burj Al Arab Jumeirah backdrop, here’s a rundown of the highlights from our shoreline stay…

Checking in with our 24-hour private butler

We pulled up to the jaw-dropping Jumeirah Al Qasr Hotel and swapped our car for a colourful buggy. We checked into our Ocean Villa with our 24-hour private butler where we were welcomed with fresh Mint Lemonade drinks and hot towels. The villa’s stunning courtyard looked just like the ones you see in old Turkish TV shows and the authentic majlis screamed Arabian elegance.

Exploring our island-like ‘Summer Palace’

If the 24-hour butler doesn’t impress you, wait until you step foot in the room! After checking out the ocean-view terrace, incredible décor, and the biggest bathroom we’ve ever seen, there was only one question on our mind… “Can we stay here forever?” There was even a bedside button for everything – and we mean everything – which controlled the lights, curtains, and even the shower!

Sunset strolling along the beach

With the beach literally on our doorstep, we took a sunset stroll along the sand and watched the red sky transition from day to night. For the most Instagrammable shots, we’d suggest heading down to Pierchic and snapping a shot with a jetty backdrop.

Sipping sundowners in our Arabian majlis

We kicked back in our Arabian majlis for Happy Hour (6pm to 8pm) and made the most of the unlimited drinks and snacks (for free!). Now that’s what we call the perfect pre-dinner experience!

Tucking into steak at The Hide

While we were able to choose from any restaurant across all four Madinat Jumeirah hotels (Jumeirah Al Naseem, Jumeirah Al Qasr, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam, and Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf), our meat cravings took us to The Hide. An American meatery with old country charm, The Hide at Jumeirah Al Qasr was made for Dubai’s meat-loving crowd. We tucked into a massive Tomahawk Steak (which was carved right in front of us) while sipping on creative mocktails.

Abra cruising through the Madinat Jumeirah waterways

You won’t usually see us up before 6am, but we just had to chase the sunrise along the peaceful waterways. We hopped on an Abra and cruised our way through Madinat Jumeirah with nothing but open water and uninterrupted views of Burj Al Arab in front of us. This was definitely worth waking up early for…

Enjoying beachside yoga with a Burj Al Arab Jumeirah backdrop

If there’s one way to start your morning, this is it. We enjoyed a session of morning yoga on the beach with Talise Spa, complete with a Burj Al Arab Jumeirah backdrop and the soothing sound of waves. Let’s just say our inner yogi has never been this relaxed…

Indulging in the breakfast buffet at Hanaaya

Waffles, fruits, fry-ups, French toast, all types of eggs… you name it, the breakfast buffet at Hanaaya, Jumeirah Mina A’Salam had it. We ate our way through the different foodie stations – from the chocolate fountain to the cheese platters – while enjoying epic Burj Al Arab Jumeirah views. The best part? When staying at Jumeirah Dar Al Masyaf, you can enjoy breakfast at one of four restaurants of your choice!